Gamer Dilema UPGRADE or Buy a new machine?

[EverToDesign]

Hey, well heres the deal. At thie moment i've got a Dell 4550 512 RAM 80Gig HD ATI 9600 4x AGP Pro with a P2.4 500MHZ Bus...

It still works decently I get the framerates I need to a point and can do all my graphics and development etc. However its coming to the point I need more power...should I 1. Upgrade the Graphics Card, grab another 512 Ram (MAx it at 1GB) and get a faster RPM Harddrive

OR

Just buy a new computer? I was looking at digitalstormonline.com and ibuypower.com for a new computer.

One snag I am split on AMD or Intel if I buy a new one I've really only ever used Intel machines. (Never really bothered exploring AMD so im dead clueless on them). Would it be worth it to buy a new computer for the next few years? (I'm not looking for the AMD 64 theres no point in that either for a few more years really -.-).

And if I buy a new computer any ideas on what the general specs should be for gaming? (Max budget being $1200 or so.)

[whatmeworry]

Upgrade your mobo to a nice overclocker. By the fastest rAM you can afford, and wait on the graphics card for a few months. Or Just wait for PCI express across the board and just buy your Ram and HDD for now.

[whatmeworry]

Oh, and welcome to the board

[Dputiger]

You've got a decent rig there, honestly It may not be an utter powerhouse, but it'll play anything on the market today.

The problem with what you are asking is that there is no one component holding you back. Upgrading the video card OR the CPU would get you some more power, and RAM would help the total system (probably the weakest of the three options, since 512 meg of RAM is plenty for games and OS work today).

I think if I were you I'd wait six months, save up a little more money, and splurge on something FX or Prescott flavored.

[washe]

Well you should wait a little more..... you current rig can handle very well the next 6 months...